---
title: "AHA and AHS fund research on the heart–brain link in migraines and stroke risk"
id: "aha-news-2-new-scientific-research-projects-study-heart-brain-connection-to-migraines"
canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/aha-news-2-new-scientific-research-projects-study-heart-brain-connection-to-migraines"
content_type: "clinical_feed_article"
specialty: "Cardiology"
source_name: "AHA News (American Heart Association)"
source_url: "https://newsroom.heart.org/news/new-scientific-research-projects-study-heartbrain-connection-to-migraines-headaches"
published_at: "2026-09-22T13:00:00.000Z"
evidence_level: "Verified Feed"
license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use"
---
# AHA and AHS fund research on the heart–brain link in migraines and stroke risk
## Provenance & Clinical Metadata
- **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/aha-news-2-new-scientific-research-projects-study-heart-brain-connection-to-migraines
- **Specialty:** [Cardiology](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/cardiology.md)
- **Primary Source:** AHA News (American Heart Association)
- **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](https://newsroom.heart.org/news/new-scientific-research-projects-study-heartbrain-connection-to-migraines-headaches)
- **Published At:** 2026-09-22T13:00:00.000Z
- **Evidence Rating:** Verified Feed
## Executive GIST (TL;DR)
- The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Headache Society (AHS) are co-funding an Innovative Project Award in 2026 to study connections between cardiovascular/cerebrovascular health and **migraine** or other headache disorders. - The Innovative Project Award provides $200,000 over two years and prioritizes innovative, high-risk/high-reward research across basic science, clinical, and population health disciplines for all ages. - The co-funded 2026 award recipient is Juliana Navia Pelaez, Ph.D., whose project examines whether repeated migraine attacks prime brain immune cells (perivascular macrophages) in ways that could increase **stroke** risk. - Pelaez’s study will identify migraine signals that activate brain immune cells, assess their response after stroke versus without migraine, and explore whether calming these cells or blocking activating signals could reduce stroke vulnerability. - The AHA funded three additional Innovative Project Awards in 2026 addressing related brain–vascular mechanisms: cortical spreading depolarizations and endothelial changes; a quantitative MRI framework for the glymphatic–hemodynamic axis in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH); and nociceptive/analgesic roles of the choroid plexus in migraine and obesity models. - Andrea M. Harriott, M.D., Ph.D., will study whether long-term exposure to mechanisms of **migraine with aura** causes durable negative effects on cerebral blood vessel cells, neovascularization, and collateral remodeling. - Matthew T. Bender, M.D., will develop a noninvasive MRI method to quantify the brain’s waste removal (glymphatic) system and blood flow in IIH and test effects of vein stenting on these measures. - Neil Dani, Ph.D., will investigate inflammatory signaling at the **choroid plexus** linking obesity and migraine, characterize immune and cellular changes, and test whether clinically used drugs such as **acetazolamide** can reduce swelling and pain signaling. - The AHA notes it has funded more than $6.3 billion in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and brain health research since 1949; this new co-funding with AHS reflects a shared commitment to advancing brain health research. - Contact information for media and public inquiries was provided by both organizations in the source release.
## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points
New scientific research projects study heart/brain connection to migraines, headaches | American Heart Association × --> Search Menu Categories: Program and Feature News , Stroke News & Brain Health | Published: September 22, 2026 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print DALLAS, TX and WILMINGTON, DE, Sept. 22, 2026 — For the first time, the American Headache Society and the American Heart Association are collaborating to co-fund an Innovative Project Award to advance scientific research on the effects migraine or other headache disorders have on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. The Heart Association is also funding three additional Innovative Project Awards for 2026. The Innovative Project Award, which provides $200,000 for a two-year project, prioritizes innovative approaches and high-risk/high-reward research, aligned with the commitment to advance these crucial values in health research and practice. Eligible projects spanned various disciplines, including basic science studies, clinical research and population health research initiatives. Projects were welcome to address any age, covering the lifespan from children and adolescents to middle age and late life. 2026 Innovative Project Award Recipients This year's co-funded award goes to Juliana Navia Pelaez, Ph.D., an assistant professor at St. Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, for the submission "Neurogenic Priming of Perivascular Macrophages by Migraine-Associated Peptides Increases Stroke Risk." Some individuals who suffer from migraine have a higher risk of stroke. While clinicians do not fully understand why, there has been a focus on blood vessels in the brain. During a migraine, these vessels may tighten, swell or change how blood moves through them. Scientists now suspect another part of the brain could also be involved: its own immune cells. These immune cells guard blood vessels and help protect the brain. Pelaez's project asks: do frequent migraine attacks make these brain "guards" too active? "If migraines happen over and over, these immune cells might stay "on" for too long. When this happens, they might accidentally make the blood vessels weaker," Pelaez said. "If the vessels get weaker, the brain might have a harder time protecting itself from a stroke." The project will look at which signals during a migraine activate these brain immune cells and how those signals react after a stroke, compared to how the cells react in the absence of a migraine. "If our idea is right," Pelaez added, "This could help scientists find new ways to prevent strokes in people with chronic migraine, maybe by calming these overactive brain cells or blocking the signals that bother them." In addition to this award, the American Heart Association has funded three other high-impact research projects to advance discoveries at the intersection of headache disorders and cerebrovascular health. They are: The Impact Of Cortical Spreading Depolarizations On Endothelial Phenotype, Neovascularization, and Collateral Remodeling submitted by Andrea M. Harriott, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor in neurology in the department of neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. There is a link between migraine with aura, stroke and heart attack. Before, it was thought that migraine with aura may lead to stroke and heart attack because it increases the risk for other factors that cause these conditions. This project will investigate whether long-term exposure to mechanisms of migraine with aura causes long-term negative effects on blood vessels in the brain. Protein changes in blood vessel cells, new blood vessel formation and function will be examined. Defining The Glymphatic-Hemodynamic Axis In IIH A Novel Multi-Scale Quantitative MRI Framework submitted by Matthew T. Bender, M.D., an associate professor at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a headache disorder that mostly affects overweight women of childbearing age. Doctors believe IIH happens because of high pressure in the brain from too much cerebrospinal fluid. Recent research suggests IIH may also be connected to issues with the brain's waste removal system. This project will develop a new MRI method to view the brain's waste removal system and blood vessels without using contrast dye or invasive procedures. IIH patient brains will be scanned before and after vein stenting to see how opening the veins affects waste removal and blood flow. Illuminating Nociceptive And Analgesic Mechanisms Of Choroid Plexus In Migraine And Obesity Models submitted by Neil Dani, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. There is a rising prevalence of obesity-related migraines. Scientists think a small part of the brain, the choroid plexus, may be causing the problem. The choroid plexus produces cerebrospinal fluid and acts like a door for signals between the body and brain. Because obesity and migraine share inflammatory pathways, scientists think that signals that cause swelling in the body may travel to the brain through this fluid, causing more migraines. This project will characterize inflammation patterns, identify cellular rewiring and immune signaling changes and test whether clinically approved drugs (e.g., acetazolamide) can reduce swelling and pain signaling in migraines. Together, these efforts demonstrate the shared commitment of the American Headache Society and the American Heart Association to advancing brain health research. Funding scientific research and discovery through initiatives like this is a cornerstone of the century-old American Heart Association's lifesaving mission. The Association has now funded more than $6.3 billion in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health research since 1949 , making it the single largest non-profit, non-government supporter of heart and brain health research in the U.S. New knowledge resulting from this American Heart Association funding continues to save lives and directly impact millions of people in every corner of the U.S. and around the world. ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org , Facebook , X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. About the American Headache Society The mission of the American Headache Society is to improve the care and lives of people living with headache disorders. The American Headache Society (AHS) is a professional society of health care providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache and face pain. Educating physicians, health professionals and the public, and encouraging scientific research are the primary functions of the Society. For more information about the AHS, visit americanheadachesociety.org or follow us on social on Facebook , X , Instagram , LinkedIn , and YouTube . For Media Inquiries: American Heart Association: Cathy Lewis, cathy.lewis@heart.org American Headache Society: Tanya Kiniry, tkiniry@talley.com For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) heart.org and stroke.org Related Images Previous Slide Next Slide Brain illustration The brain has about 100 billion cells called neurons. It's made up of distinct parts, that developed though human evolution. copyright American Heart Association Download (426.1 kB) Brain illustration The brain has about 100 billion cells called neurons. It's made up of distinct parts, that developed though human evolution. copyright American Heart Association Please see AHA/ASA Multimedia Materials Usage Policy . I have read the AHA/ASA Multimedia Materials Usage Policy and agree to the terms of use Download (426.1 kB) File Permalink American Heart Association logo Heart and Torch with American Heart Association text. https://www.heart.org/en Usage agreement copyright American Heart Association Download (98.4 kB) American Heart Association logo Heart and Torch with American Heart Association text. https://www.heart.org/en Usage agreement copyright American Heart Association Please see AHA/ASA Multimedia Materials Usage Policy . I have read the AHA/ASA Multimedia Materials Usage Policy and agree to the terms of use Download (98.4 kB) File Permalink American Headache Society Logo copyright American Headache Society Download (318.5 kB) American Headache Society Logo copyright American Headache Society Please see AHA/ASA Multimedia Materials Usage Policy . I have read the AHA/ASA Multimedia Materials Usage Policy and agree to the terms of use Download (318.5 kB) File Permalink This link is provided for convenience only and is not an endorsement of either the linked-to entity or any product or service. CLOSE PROCEED
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